Personal Injury Attorney in Lexington, SC

Voters in Lexington-Richland 5 had two big decisions to make on Election Day. They had to decide the makeup of the school board for the next two years, and whether they want the school district to bond for $240 million worth of school projects.

On the Lexington County side of the district, USC professor Scott Herring led in unofficial results Tuesday with 34% of the vote, followed closely behind by board incumbent Catherine Huddle who was only 98 votes behind as of 10:45 p.m. Former board member Ken Loveless trailed at 31%. The top two vote-getters in that district will win seats on the school board.

In Richland County, Jason Baynham had a narrow lead over Mike Ward, 50% to 49%, with 39% of the vote reported.

Ken Loveless had served on the board from 2018 to 2022, when he fell short of re-election by 12 votes.. Huddle had served on the board since 2020. Herring was an unsuccessful candidate for the board in 2022. Current board chair Rebecca Blackburn Hines declined to seek re-election from Lexington County.

In Richland County, board vice chair Matt Hogan also decided not to run for another term.

Voters across the district were giving the go-ahead to a $240 million bond issue, which looked close to passing with around 70% voting yes.

The $240 million bond issue would lead to the construction of a new school and the expansion or additions of several others. Increasing capacity at existing schools will also lessen the need for rezoning in the Chapin-Irmo district.

The district’s previous major bond issue in 2008 was the subject of controversy, including the purchase of a $1.2 million site for a school that was never built after it was determined the site didn’t have proper road access for school day traffic.

Lexington-Richland 5 later commissioned an outside audit of its 2008 bond spending, which was disputed by a construction firm criticized in the report, questioned by a state inspector general’s report and resulted in a lawsuit from a former superintendent.

This story was originally published November 5, 2024, 9:09 PM.

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LEXINGTON, SC, UNITED STATES, November 1, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Stanton Optical, a pioneer in affordable and accessible eye care, announces the grand opening of its latest store in 5580 Sunset Blvd, Suite C-1, Lexington, SC 29072, strengthens Stanton Optical's commitment to delivering on its mission of Making Eye Care Easy across 280+ locations nationwide.

Convenient Eye Care for Less “We’re excited to open our 3rd Stanton Optical store in the Columbia market, a community we have been serving for over 9 years. Making eye care affordable and convenient for Lexington residents is a great source of pride for our Stanton Optical family. We know consumers are having to stretch their dollar further in this economy. We work hard to leverage our direct relationships with manufacturers to offer the best prices on eye exams, glasses and top contact lens brands without compromising quality. Not everyone has vision insurance so it’s important we offer eye care solutions everyone can afford”, said Daniel Stanton, founder and CEO of Stanton Optical.

With its on-site optical labs, you can walk in, get an eye exam, and get single-vision glasses made the same day in as fast as 30 minutes. Stanton Optical also offers various over-the-counter eye care solutions. Stanton Optical accepts most vision insurance, FSA/HSA, VSP out-of-network, and offers special pricing for EyeMed, Medicaid, and Military families.

List of all Columbia Stanton Optical stores: -189 Harbison Blvd, Suite A, Columbia, SC 29212 -10110 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, SC 29223 -5580 Sunset BLVD, Lexington, SC 29072

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Stanton Optical sets itself apart by offering same-day appointments, welcoming walk-in eye exams, same-day glasses, and offering the best value in eye care: Two Pairs of Glasses starting at $79 (including Anti-Glare/UV lenses) and a FREE Eye Exam. Hours for the new optical store in Lexington are Monday – Friday from 9 am-7 pm, and Saturday from 9 am-6 pm.

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For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit us at www.stantonoptical.com or call (803) 250-2655.

About Now Optics: Now Optics remains at the forefront of the eye care industry, consistently delivering on its mission of Making Eye Care Easy. With an omnichannel offering and locations across 30 states and growing, Stanton Optical ranks among the top optical retailers nationwide. The brand is dedicated to enhancing customer experiences by merging expert eye care with affordable and convenient eye health and eyewear choices.

Suzanne Garcia Now Optics email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

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Multiple Columbia-area school districts have canceled classes for Monday because of lingering effects of Hurricane Helene on South Carolina.

Lexington 1 officials said classes have been called off for district students, as all of its schools and and offices will be closed. All extracurricular activities are canceled.

“Our area continues to feel the impact of Hurricane Helene,” Lexington 1 officials said Sunday in a news release. “Power outages are still affecting employees and families, as well as some of our facilities, including a few schools. Additionally, there are ongoing concerns about blocked roadways that would prevent buses from safely running their routes.”

Unlike Friday, when Lexington 1 switched to an e-learning day, that is not an alternative plan for Monday. Because of widespread and extended power outages, e-learning is not an option, according to the release.

As of 11 a.m. Sunday, 904,051 customers in the Palmetto State were still reporting power outages, according to poweroutage.us.

There are no guarantees about a return to schools on Tuesday for students and staff; district officials said there will be another update Monday.

“We understand the disruption this causes, but the well-being of our students, employees and community is our top priority,” district officials said. “Together, we can ensure everyone stays safe as we work through these challenges. Thank you for your support and understanding during this difficult time.”

Some other Midlands school districts have also made announcements regarding Monday.

▪ Lexington-Richland 5 officials said that because of the significant damage Helene caused throughout the community — including widespread power and internet outages, impassable roads and damaged property — all schools and offices will be closed on Monday. All after-school childcare programs, after-school activities, and athletic events and practices are also canceled.

District officials said they will use Feb. 17, 2025, as a hazardous weather make-up day and will determine later whether that day will be virtual or in-person.

“The safety of our students and staff remains (L-R 5’s) highest priority, and we wish everyone the best during this difficult time,” officials said. “District officials will continue to monitor impacts of this storm on our students, staff, facilities, and roads. We appreciate your patience as our teams continue to assess the conditions to ensure a safe return to school.”

▪ Richland 1 officials said all district schools and administrative offices will be closed Monday.

Because of the extensive power outages across the district, e-learning will not be an option for students Monday. Plans for Tuesday will be sent Monday, according to district officials.

“Many Richland 1 students and staff and their families are among thousands of Columbia area residents who are still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, including power outages and roads blocked with downed trees and debris from the storm,” district officials said. “Some of our schools are without power and some only have partial power.”

▪ Lexington 2 officials said they are canceling school for all students and employees on Monday because of ongoing impacts from Helene. All schools and offices will be closed Monday. All extracurricular activities, sports events, and adult education classes are canceled.

“Many Lexington Two employees and district families continue to be affected by power outages, home damage, as well as downed trees and power lines that are hindering travel within neighborhoods, along secondary roads, and around parts of the greater community,” district officials said. “Given ongoing power outages, and the challenges many employees and families are facing, e-learning is not an option on Monday.”

An announcement about the school Tuesday’s schedule will be made on Monday afternoon.

▪ Lexington 4 officials said district schools and offices will be closed Monday because hazardous road conditions and power outages continue across the district and county. All after-school activities are canceled.

“Additional time is needed for recovery efforts to safely support school operations,” district officials said.

Another update will be provided Monday afternoon.

▪ Newberry School District officials said that because of widespread power outages and road conditions caused by Hurricane Helene, Monday will be an e-learning day. Another update for the rest of the week is expected on Monday, district officials said.

▪ Lexington 3 officials said there will be no classes Monday, but that’s because the district’s students were already scheduled to be out of school for fall break.

▪

▪ Richland 2 officials said there currently aren’t any plans to adjust the Monday schedule. That could change.

▪ Orangeburg County School District officials said that after conducting assessments of school buildings and facilities, all schools and district offices will reopen on Monday.

“Parents, we understand that some families may still be impacted by Hurricane Helene, and should your family need support, we ask that you reach out to your school directly,” district officials said. “Also, while we believe opening schools is the best decision to support the needs of our students and community, please note that some routes may not be fully cleared, which could potentially cause delays in bus pickups.”

▪ Midlands Technical College officials said that all Midlands Tech campuses will remain closed Monday.

In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.

This story was originally published September 29, 2024, 1:21 PM.

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Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription

Lexington residents are still feeling the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

LEXINGTON, S.C. — Tens of thousands of Lexington County residents remain in the dark after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction overnight.

Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina says over 36,000 co-op customers in Lexington County are waiting for power.

News19 spoke with Chase Toler of South Carolina of Electric Cooperatives, who said workers are working tirelessly turn the lights back on for all customers, but it could take a while to do so.

"The stateline was at it's peak for electric outages around 9:10 a.m. this morning, we were at 408,503 meters without power, and we were down to 333, 612," Toler said.

Electric workers were able to restore power to 74,000 customers on Friday, with the number increasing.

Due to the high volume of damage to the Midlands, electric companies say they are requesting reinforcement from out-of-state crews.

"Outside crews are coming from nearby states. They will begin work this evening and into tomorrow morning. The process of restoring power is going to be a multi-day event, it will take multiple days to restore power just because of vast amount of damage we have seen across the state," Toler said.

Throughout Friday, residents in Lexington were even taking matters into their own hands when it came to cleaning up debris and roads.

Neighbors at Cross Lake Homes worked together to break down a tree blocking the main entrance. One of those people was teenager Joseph Yasses, who says he, along with his father and friends, spent an hour sawing and cutting the tree.

"At first they were cutting the branches, I mean, you can see the branches right over here," Yasses said. "We tried to clear the roads, and I got to use my dad's saw to cut some pieces and help clear the roads."

Just two roads down, resident Austin Lovell said a group of men was seen sawing a tree that fell into the street.

"It was about 14, 15 of us out there. We had a whole road ... Beach Woods Road was blocked off, so we got it cleared and got traffic coming both ways, and I've been riding around and saw this guy and decided to help him, too."

To keep up with the latest Electric Cooperative outages, click here.

RELATED: Here's what the utility companies are saying about how long it could take to restore power in South Carolina

RELATED: How to report a power outage in South Carolina

READ MORE

Hurricane Helene is gaining strength and is forecast to track north toward SC where it will bring heavy rain & strong winds to the Midlands.

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With Hurricane Helene barreling north, and severe weather expected in the Midlands, several area school districts are adjusting their plans and class schedule for Friday.

Just before 10 a.m. Thursday, Richland 1 officials announced that all of their schools and administrative offices will be closed Friday, which now will be an e-learning day for students.

“Heavy rainfall and high wind gusts from Hurricane Helene are expected to impact the Columbia area Friday, posing hazardous travel conditions,” Richland 1 officials said.

In addition to shifting classes, all after-school activities and events that were scheduled for Friday have been canceled, Richland 1 officials said. That includes the College and Career Expo for Richland 1 juniors and seniors that was scheduled for Friday morning at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

Richland 1’s varsity football games that were scheduled for Thursday and Friday have been rescheduled for Saturday. At Memorial Stadium, Dreher will play Camden at 11 a.m., while A.C. Flora plays York at 4:45 p.m.

In an 11 a.m. game at Stadium at W.J. Keenan, Eau Claire will face Pelion, while Columbia High plays Swansea at Bolden Stadium at 11 a.m.

Lower Richland and W.J. Keenan played their games Wednesday, while C.A. Johnson has an open date this week.

Some other Midlands school districts have also adjusted their plans for Friday.

▪ Lexington-Richland 5 officials said all schools and offices will close Friday and district students will switch to an e-learning day.

District officials said they will continue to monitor the impacts of Hurricane Helene to the Midlands, and further announcements are possible.

▪ Richland 2 officials said because of the anticipated severe weather from Hurricane Helene, all schools, centers and administrative offices will be closed Friday, which has shifted to an e-learning/remote work day.

Additionally, all district activities and events for Thursday have been canceled.

▪ Lexington 1 officials said district schools will switch to e-learning on Friday because of weather impacts from Hurricane Helene.

All of Friday’s extracurricular activities, including those that require travel, will be suspended until 3 p.m.

▪ Lexington 4 officials said after consultation with the National Weather Service and Lexington County Emergency Management, it will transition to an e-learning day on Friday. Students will need to complete their e-Learning assignments by Oct. 3, according to officials.

Coaches and sponsors will be in contact with their students regarding after-school activities and athletics.

▪ Sumter School District officials said Friday will be an e-learning day for all students and staff as schools and office buildings will be closed. All after-school activities, including athletic events and field trips, have been canceled for Thursday and Friday.

Students who are unable to participate because of power outages, lack of internet service, or other issues will be able to complete their e-learning assignments at a later time, district officials said.

▪ Kershaw County School District officials announced they are switching to an e-learning day on Friday, saying all school buildings and offices will be closed, including childcare programs.

▪ Orangeburg County School District officials said all after-school activities scheduled for Thursday have been canceled.

Friday will be an e-learning day for students and staff, district officials said.

▪ Lexington 2 officials are making changes to Thursday’s schedule, announcing that all after-school activities will conclude no later than 5 p.m.

Additionally, in an abundance of caution, Lexington 2 schools will move to an e-learning day on Friday, and all afternoon and evening activities — including athletic events, extracurricular activities, after-school programs and adult education classes — are canceled.

▪ Ben Lippen School officials said all after-school programs, events and activities for Thursday have been canceled, while the school also will be closed on Friday.

▪ Lexington 3 officials said there will be no classes on Friday, but that’s because the district’s students were already scheduled to be out of school as part of the previously planned Enrichment Week.

▪ University of South Carolina officials said a change has been made to their plan for classes. Beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, and continuing through Friday, all classes will be virtual.

Additionally, USC’s Columbia campus on Friday will only remain open for essential employees. Normal campus services will remain available to students, including dining, health services and access to virtual academic support services.

▪ Midlands Technical College officials said that all of its campuses will close Thursday at 4:30 p.m. and remain closed on Friday. Midlands Tech is expecting to resume normal hours on Monday.

▪ Clemson University officials said that the school’s upstate locations will close at 7 p.m. on Thursday and evening classes will be online at the discretion of instructors. The status of university classes and operations for Friday will be communicated later. Clemson’s football game against Stanford on Saturday remains scheduled for 7 p.m. Changes regarding student wristband distribution will be communicated via the athletics ticket office.

In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.

This story was originally published September 26, 2024, 10:05 AM.